Undergraduate studies
The Laboratory of Biology hosts the Medical Biology and Viruses & Antiviral technology classes, which are both undergraduate (bachelor’s) courses of the Medical School of Alexandroupolis, as well as the Virology classes which are part of the undergraduate (bachelor’s) studies at the Molecular Biology and Genetics School of Alexandroupolis.
Medical Biology is among the mandatory courses of the 1st semester, credited with 7 ECTS (European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System), and its purpose is to introduce medical students to the basic concepts of Biology, emphasizing on the molecular mechanisms that govern the organization and function of cells. Furthermore, interactions between cells and their environment within the context of complex organisms are examined, while behavioral biology issues are also approached. The learning objectives of this course include: a) understanding the basic mechanisms of life at the cellular and molecular level, b) recognition of basic cellular functions in practice, c) understanding of the cell's functioning mechanisms and their relationships with health applications, d) practicing basic biotechnology methods, and e) getting to know newer technologies. In order to achieve these objectives, approximately 200 hours of workload have been devoted to this course, including lectures, optional work presentations and laboratory classes so as to practice basic techniques of Molecular Biology (e.g. electrophoresis, Polymerase Chain Reaction/PCR) in various tasks, such as extracting DNA from a given sample, observing cell division under a microscope or analysing biological data with the help of bioinformatic tools. Upon successful completion of this course, the student should be able to: a) recognise the structure and function of cells, tissues and organisms, b) correlate the effect of cell dysfunction with the onset of diseases, c) explain the implication of cell function in the treatment of diseases, d) compare and evaluate the role of cells in the body, e) apply scientific methods to medical practice and research, as well as e) track upcoming technologies and adapt to them swiftly in a medical or research environment. More information about this course’s plan, schedule, exercises and related announcements can be found HERE, with open free access to everyone.
Viruses & Antiviral technology is among the selected/optional courses of the 8th semester, credited with 2 ECTS, and its purpose is to provide medical students with a better understanding on the biology of viruses, highlighting the mechanisms of therapeutic agents against them. Approximately 60 hours of workload have been devoted to this course, including lectures and work presentations. Upon successful completion of this course, the student should be able to: a) understand the replicative mechanisms and molecular pathology of several significant viruses, b) evaluate the efficacy of therapeutic approaches based on the mechanisms of antiviral immunity and antiviral drugs, and c) identify putative targets of therapeutic antiviral agents. More information about this course’s plan, schedule, exercises and related announcements can be found HERE, with open access to registered students of the Democritus University of Thrace.
Virology is among the selected/optional courses of the 7th semester, credited with 3 ECTS, and its purpose is to provide students with a better understanding on the biology of viruses, focusing on the basic molecular mechanisms underlying virus-host interactions and their pathogenicity as well as the utilization of viruses in Translational Medicine (gene therapy, development of vaccines). Approximately 90 hours of workload have been devoted to this course, including lectures and work presentations. Upon successful completion of this course, the student should be able to: a) understand the main characteristics of viruses, including their classification, structure, transcription and life cycle, b) understand the basic virus-host interactions and pathogenicity of viral infections, with emphasis in the host antiviral immune responses and the basic strategies of viral immune evasion, c) recognise the clinical manifestations of selected viruses and the ways of viral spread, including prevention, diagnosis and treatment of viral infections, and d) understand the strategies used in the design and construction of recombinant viruses as well as their importance for Translational Medicine (gene therapy, development of vaccines). More information about this course’s plan, schedule, exercises and related announcements can be found HERE, with open access to registered students of the Democritus University of Thrace.
EDUCATION IS THE KINDLING OF A FLAME, NOT THE FILLING OF A VESSEL
Socrates
Ignorance more frequently begets confidence than does knowledge: it is those who know little, not those who know much, who so positively assert that this or that problem will never be solved by science.
Charles Darwin
Postgraduate studies
Master’s Programs
Infectious Diseases – International Medicine: From bench to bedside is a 12-month Master’s program, credited with 75 ECTS. The multidisciplinary character of the curriculum provides high quality education on four core modules:
• Infection Biology. Aim of this module is to educate postgraduate students on the biology of infectious agents of global public health importance (Clinical and Molecular Bacteriology, Clinical and Molecular Virology, Mycology and Parasitology). Emphasis will be placed on the biology, genetics and immunology of key pathogen-host interactions known to control pathogenesis (Pathogenetic Mechanisms and Metabolism, Pathogenetic Mechanisms and Genetic Variability, Immunology of Infectious Diseases and Vaccines). The ultimate goal is to lay the foundation for understanding the link between the molecular basis of pathogen-host interactions and the clinical outcome of disease as well as the development of rational strategies for effective treatment (See Courses).
• Infectious diseases of international and domestic interest. Aim of this module is to explore worldwide health problems including emergence of previously unrecognized pathogens, threat of pathogen resistance, spread of zoonotic and vector borne diseases, their natural history and clinical diagnosis. (Biostatistics and Molecular Epidemiology, International Medicine – Global Health, Antimicrobial Agents and Resistance, Immigrant and Tropical Medicine, Zoonotic Diseases – The ‘One Health’ concept) (See Courses).
• State-of-the-art laboratory diagnosis of infectious diseases. Aim of this module is to provide theoretical and practical training in cutting-edge technologies and approaches used in laboratory diagnosis of infectious diseases. (Molecular Diagnostics /2nd semester, Clinical Laboratory Practical Training 1st.2nd semester) (See Courses).
• Master thesis. Students will carry out original research work in the fields of molecular epidemiology and/or molecular microbiology and will write a thesis based on their findings (See Master Thesis ).
More information on this MSc Program can be found HERE